Skip to main content

Microcystins contamination of surface water supply sources in Zaria-Nigeria

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 187, Article number: 606 (2015) Cite this article

Abstract

Cyanobacterial contamination of public water supply systems is a worldwide problem. The present study investigated water quality and microcystins (MCs) contamination of four public water supply systems in Zaria, Nigeria. The water bodies were eutrophic in the rainy and dry season and supported high phytoplankton biomass with chlorophyll a concentrations generally higher than 20.0 μg/L. The biomass of the predominant species (Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena subcylindrica) of cyanobacteria had a significant positive correlation with particulate and dissolved MCs. Dissolved MCs concentrations were higher (>1.0 μg/L) than the maximum permissible limits for drinking water in all the water bodies in the dry season and three of them in the rainy season. These results suggest that there is the need to have a regular monitoring program for these water bodies to prevent acute and chronic health hazards associated with MCs contamination of drinking and irrigation water.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

References

  • Abolude, D. S., Davies, O. A., & Chia, A. M. (2009). Distribution and concentration of trace elements in Kubanni reservoir in Northern Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 1, 39–44.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adakole, J. A., & Abolude, D. S. (2009). Studies on effluent characteristics of a metal finishing company, Zaria-Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 1, 54–57.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Agha, R., Cirés, S., Wormer, L., & Quesada, A. (2013). Limited stability of microcystins in oligopeptide composition of Microcystis aeruginosa (cyanobacteria): implications in the definition of chemotypes. Toxins, 5(6), 1089–1104.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Public Health Association: APHA (1998). Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water (20th ed., ). Washington D.C:American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association/Water Environmental Federation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bittencourt-Oliveira, M. C., Piccin-Santos, V., Moura, A. N., Aragao-Tavares, N. K. C., & Cordeiro-Araujo, M. K. (2014). Cyanobacteria, microcystins and cylindrospermopsin in public drinking supply. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, 86(1), 297–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bittencourt-Oliveira, M. C., Chia, A. M., de Oliveira, H. S. B., Araújo, M. K. C., Molica, R. J. R., & Dias, C. T. S. (2015). Allelopathic interactions between microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing cyanobacteria and green microalgae: implications for microcystins production. Journal of Applied Phycology, 27(1), 275–284.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briand, E., Bormans, M., Quiblier, C., Salençon, M. J., & Humbert, J. F. (2012). Evidence of the cost of the production of microcystins by Microcystis aeruginosa under differing light and nitrate environmental conditions. PloS One, 7(1), e29981.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carmichael, W. W., Azevedo, S. M. F. O., An, J. S., & Molica, R. J. R. (2001). Human fatalities from cyanobacteria: chemical and biological evidence for cyanotoxins. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(7), 663–668.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cecchi, P., Meunier-Nikiema, A., Moiroux, N., & Sanou, B. (2009). Towards an atlas of lakes and reservoirs in Burkina Faso. In M. Andreini, T. Schuetz, & H. L. Battaramulla (Eds.), Small reservoir toolkit (pp. 1–23). Colombo: International Water Management Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J., Xie, P., Li, L., & Xu, J. (2009). First identification of the hepatotoxic microcystins in the serum of a chronically exposed human population together with indication of hepatocellular damage. Toxicological Sciences, 108(1), 81–89.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chia, A. M., Abolude, D. S., Ladan, Z., Akanbi, O., & Kalaboms, A. (2009a). The presence of microcystins in aquatic ecosystems in Northern Nigeria: Zaria as a case study. Research Journal of Environmental Toxicology, 3(4), 170–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chia, A. M., Oniye, S. J., Ladan, Z., Lado, Z., Pila, E. A., Inekwe, V. U., & Mmerole, J. U. (2009b). A survey for the presence of microcystins in aquaculture ponds in Zaria, Northern-Nigeria: possible public health implication. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8(22), 6282–6289.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chia, A. M., Lombardi, A. T., Melão, M. G. G., & Parrish, C. C. (2013a). Effects of cadmium and nitrogen on lipid composition of Chlorella vulgaris (Trebouxiophyceae). European Journal of Phycology, 48(1), 1–11.

  • Chia, A. M., Oniye, S. J., & Swanta, A. A. (2013b). Domestic water quality assessment: microalgal and cyanobacterial contamination of stored water in plastic tanks in Zaria, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research, 110(4), 401–410.

  • Chia, A. M., Lombardi, A. T., Melão, M. G. G., & Parrish, C. C. (2013c). Lipid composition of Chlorella vulgaris (Trebouxiophyceae) as a function of different cadmium and phosphate concentrations. Aquatic Toxicology, 128, 171–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chigor, V. N., Umoh, V. J., Okuofu, C. A., Ameh, J. B., Igbinosa, E. O., & Okoh, I. A. (2012). Water quality assessment: surface water sources used for drinking and irrigation in Zaria, Nigeria are a public health hazard. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(5), 3389–3400.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorus, I., & Bartram, J. (1999). Toxic cyanobacteria in water: A Guide to their public health consequences, monitoring, and management (pp. 1–400). New York:E & FN Spon, published on behalf of the World Health Organization.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chorus, I. (2001). Cyanotoxin occurrence in freshwaters—a summary of survey results from different countries. In I. Chorus (Ed.), Cyanotoxins: occurrence, causes, consequences (pp. 75–78). Berlin: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Codd, G. A., Metcalf, J. S., & Beattie, K. A. (1999). Retention of Microcystis aeruginosa and microcystin by salad lettuce (Lactuca sativa) after spray irrigation with water containing cyanobacteria. Toxicon, 37(8), 1181–1185.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dada, O., Okuofu, C. A., & Yusuf, Z. I. (1990). The relationship between chlorine residual and bacteriological quality of tap water in the distribution system of Zaria, Nigeria. Savanna, 11, 95–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ekanem, E. J., & Irekpita, H. (2004). Determination of pollution status of Zaria rivers by physicochemical parameter monitoring. Chem Class Journal, 2004, 127–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falconer, I., Bartram, J., Chorus, I., Kuiper-Goodman, T., Utkilen, H., & Burch, M. (1999). Safe levels and safe practices. In I. Chorus, & J. Bartram (Eds.), Toxic cyanobacteria in water: a guide to their public health consequences, monitoring and management (pp. 41–111). London: E & FN Spon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falconer, I. R. (2005). Is there a human health hazard from microcystins in the drinking water supply? Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica, 33(1), 64–71.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giani, A., Bird, D. F., Prairie, Y. T., & Lawrence, J. F. (2005). Empirical study of cyanobacterial toxicity along a trophic gradient of lakes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 62(9), 2100–2109.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurbuz, F., Metcalf, J. S., Karahan, A. G., & Codd, G. A. (2009). Analysis of dissolved microcystins in surface water samples from Kovada Lake, Turkey. Science of the Total Environment, 407(13), 4038–4046.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hereman, T. C., & Bittencourt-Oliveira, M. C. (2012). Bioaccumulation of microcystins in lettuce. Journal of Phycology, 48(6), 1535–1537.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humpage, A. R., Hardy, S. J., Moore, E. J., Froscio, S. M., & Falconer, I. R. (2000). Microcystins (cyanobacterial toxins) in drinking water enhance the growth of aberrant crypt foci in the mouse colon. Journal of Toxicology and Environnmental Health, Part A, 61(3), 155–165.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ito, E., Kondo, F., Terao, K., & Harada, K. I. (1997). Neoplastic nodular formation in mouse liver induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of microcystin-LR. Toxicon, 35(9), 1453–1457.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jancula, D., Strakova, L., Sadilek, J., Marsalek, B., & Babica, P. (2014). Survey of cyanobacterial toxins in Czech water reservoirs—the first observation of neurotoxins saxitoxins. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(13), 8006–8015.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jochimsen, E. M., Carmichael, W. W., An, J., Denise, M. C., Cookson, S. T., Holmes, C. E. M., Antunes, M. B. C., Melo, F. D. A., Lyra, T. M., & Barreto, V. S. T. (1998). Liver failure and death after exposure to microcystins at a hemodialysis center in Brazil. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(13), 873–878.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kotut, K., Ballot, A., & Krienitz, L. (2006). Toxic cyanobacteria and their toxins in standing waters of Kenya: implications for water resource use. Journal of Water and Health, 4(2), 233–245.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krienitz, L., Ballot, A., Kotut, K., Wiegand, C., Putz, S., Metcalf, J. S., Codd, G. A., & Pflugmacher, S. (2003). Contribution of hot spring cyanobacteria to the mysterious deaths of lesser flamingos at Lake Bogoria, Kenya. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 43(2), 141–148.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lind, O. T. (1979). A handbook of limnological methods. St. Lois:CV Mosby Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lürling, M., & Roessink, I. (2006). On the way to cyanobacterial blooms: impact of the herbicide metribuzin on the competition between a green alga (Scenedesmus) and a cyanobacterium (Microcystis). Chemosphere, 65(4), 618–626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackereth, F. J. H. (1963). Some methods of water analysis for limnologist scientist. Freshwater Biology Association Publication.

  • Mackintosh, C., Beattie, K. A., Klumpp, S., Cohen, P., & Codd, G. A. (1990). Cyanobacterial microcystin-LR is a potent and specific inhibitor of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A from both mammals and higher plants. Federation of European Biochemical Societies Letters, 264(2), 187–192.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meriluoto, J., & Codd, G. A. (2005). Toxic cyanobacterial monitoring and cyanotoxin analysis. Finland:Abo Akademi University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Population Commission – NPC (2006). Population distribution by sex, state, LGAs and senatorial districts: 2006 census priority tables. 3, 1–64.

  • Nonga, H. E., Sandvik, M., Miles, C. O., Lie, E., Mdegela, R. H., Mwamengele, G. L., Semuguruka, W. D., & Skaare, J. U. (2011). Possible involvement of microcystins in the unexplained mass mortalities of lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor Geoffroy) at Lake Manyara in Tanzania. Hydrobiologia, 678(1), 167–178.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (1982). Eutrophication of waters: Monitoring, assessment and control. Paris:Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paerl, H. W., & Huisman, J. (2009). Climate change: a catalyst for global expansion of cyanobacterial blooms. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 1(1), 27–37.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prescott, G. W. (1977). The fresh water algae. Dubuque:WMC Brown Company Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolland, A., Bird, D. F., & Giani, A. (2005). Seasonal changes in composition of the cyanobacterial community and the occurrence of hepatotoxic blooms in the eastern townships, Québec, Canada. Journal of Plankton Research, 27(7), 683–694.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steyn, D. G. (1945). Poisoning of animals and human beings by algae. South African Journal of Science, 41, 243–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ueno, Y., Nagata, S., Tsutsumi, T., Hasegawa, A., Watanabe, M. C., Park, H. D., Chen, G. C., Chen, G., & Yu, S. Z. (1996). Detection of microcystins, a blue-green algal hepatotoxin, in drinking water sampled in Haimen and Fusui endemic areas of primary liver cancer in China, by highly sensitive immunoassay. Carcinogenesis, 17(6), 1317–1321.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • US Environmental Protection Agency (2015). Health effects support document for the cyanobacterial toxin microcystins. EPA - 820R15102. Washington DC:Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (1998). Cyanobacterial toxins: Microcystins-LR. In Guidelines for drinking water quality (pp. 95–110). Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO) (2004). Guidelines for drinking-water quality. Recommendations. Chemical fact sheets (pp. 407–408). Geneva:World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Chen, J., Huang, Y., Qiu, Z., Luo, J., Zeng, H., Zhao, Q., Cao, J., & Shu, W. (2011). Identification of microcystins contamination in surface water samples from the Three Gorges reservoir, China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 180(1–4), 77–86.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Cianobactérias, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil

    Mathias Ahii Chia

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810001, Nigeria

    Mathias Ahii Chia & Mndepawe Jonah Kwaghe

Authors
  1. Mathias Ahii Chia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mndepawe Jonah Kwaghe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mathias Ahii Chia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chia, M.A., Kwaghe, M.J. Microcystins contamination of surface water supply sources in Zaria-Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 187, 606 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4829-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4829-3

Keywords

  • Reservoirs
  • Lakes
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Microcystins
  • Contamination
  • Water supply